The numbers don’t justify the playing time right now, but freshman Eli Brooks is playing better than his competition. That’s why he’ll remain Michigan’s starting point guard for a fourth straight game.

Michigan coach John Beilein has said Brooks gives the team the best “flow” right now.

Brooks and the rest of the Wolverines (6-1) face their biggest challenge of the season yet when they visit No. 11 North Carolina (5-1) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Chapel Hill, N.C., as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

“It’s always been a dream to play there,” said Brooks who played the previous four years at Spring Grove (Pa.) for his father, James. “My dad grew up a North Carolina fan. Said he’s going to have to change a little bit and root for Michigan. But it’s going to be great to play in Chapel Hill.”

Brooks said he’s not trying to do too much during his playing time.

“It’s a big game, but I’m not one to get that nervous for games,” Brooks said. “Just knowing that I prepared well kind of takes the nerves away.”

Junior center Moe Wagner said Brooks reminds him of former U-M guard Spike Albrecht in that he’s solid in everything he does.

“Such a high IQ,” Wagner said of Brooks. “A little more athletic than Spike. Don’t tell Spike that. But it’s unbelievable. (Brooks) is so bright. You tell him one thing and he’s going to do it next time. And he’s also not afraid to tell me what to do and the others. That’s a very important part.”

Michigan sophomore Zavier Simpson started the first four games at point guard. Now he’s coming off the bench to give the Wolverines a defensive boost. Jaaron Simmons, a graduate transfer from Ohio and the third man in the point guard race, has yet to start and is struggling in all aspects.

That has allowed Brooks to earn more playing time than many expected this early in the season.

“The ball moves better,” Beilein said of why Brooks continues to start. “His assists aren’t better. The numbers aren’t even close. But the ball moves better. And he talks better behind the defense and he really makes the other four guys better at this point.”

Brooks has six assists and four turnovers in seven games this season and is averaging 3.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 14.1 minutes.

CLOSE

Michigan coach John Beilein speaks to the media on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, one day before the game at North Carolina. Video by George Sipple/DFP

Simpson has 21 assists and seven turnovers and is averaging 2.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 17.1 minutes.

Simmons has 10 assists and seven turnovers and is averaging 1.3 points and 0.7 rebounds in 11.1 minutes. He averaged 15.9 points and 6.5 assists in 31 starts last season for the Bobcats.

“His stats in practice and games haven’t merited him to be able to play,” Beilein said of Simmons’ struggles. “Whether it’s shooting percentage, assists, turnover ratio. We take a stat on everything the whole summer. And if his stats don’t show right now – pickup ball, when the coaches can be there, everything. Hasn’t performed at a level I know he can perform at. We just keep working with him every day hoping all of a sudden his performance will match the ability we believe he has.”